Windows Explorer is the default file manager app in Windows 11 or 10. It is the most well-known file manager that comes with Windows, which makes it easier to use than other file managers, but it also limits its functionality.
The functionality of Windows Explorer is somewhat limited. It can be used to view files, view folder contents, modify files and folders. However, the downside is that this is limited to one file per folder. If you work a lot with certain files, more functionality is sometimes needed and Windows Explorer may not have this functionality.
An alternative to Windows Explorer often offers additional functions. This includes advanced search, tabs, scripting options, extra key combinations, working with multiple files at the same time, network or cloud connections, better and, above all, clearer file navigation, etc.
In this article I have compiled a list of the best alternatives to Windows Explorer. This list includes free and paid alternatives.
These are the best alternatives to Windows Explorer
Total commander
Total Commander is an alternative file explorer to Windows Explorer. It was developed by the German software company Ghisler Software. It is a very popular app for Windows 11 or 10 users, and has been around since 1993.
Total Commander is a two-pane file explorer that allows you to navigate and manage files and folders on your computer. It offers a wide range of features such as renaming multiple files at once, archiving, copying, moving, deleting and searching. It also supports a wide range of file formats including ZIP, RAR, 7-Zip and more.
Total Commander also offers a wide range of customization options. You can customize the appearance of the interface, as well as the keyboard shortcuts and mouse actions. In addition, you can also add external tools and plug-ins to the software, so that they can expand the possibilities within Total Commander.
In terms of file security, Total Commander offers a secure FTP connection and also supports file encryption. You can also password protect files and folders and password protect the entire program.
Overall, Total Commander is an excellent file manager and file explorer program for Windows users. Total Commander is not free. This app offers a shareware license that can be used free of charge for one month, after which a license must be purchased.
Read more about Total Commander.
Free Commander
Free Commander is a file explorer for Windows 11 or 10 that can be used as an alternative to Windows Explorer. It is a free file manager that offers a dual-pane user interface for more efficient file management, it is similar to Total Commander.
The two panels allow you to open two different folders at the same time and compare the contents of each folder side by side. You can also move and copy files between the two panels with one click.
Free Commander allows you to customize its appearance through various features and settings. Free Commander lets you customize the toolbar, choose different color schemes, assign keyboard shortcuts and more. It also includes a search function that allows you to search for files or folders within Free Commander's window.
Free Commander also includes a file synchronization feature, with which you can synchronize the contents of two different folders. This is especially useful for backing up files or transferring information between computers. Free Commander also has a feature that allows you to view and change file attributes, such as date/time stamps and permissions.
Free Commander is a great free alternative to Total Commander or Windows Explorer that offers more powerful and customizable file management. It is light, fast and easy to use. It supports a wide range of file formats including archives, images, audio and video.
Read more about Free Commander.
Q-Dir (Quad Explorer)
Q-Dir (or Quad Explorer) is a file explorer for Windows 11 or 10. It is a free and portable software, which means that full installation is not necessary.
The Q-Dir app is designed to be a fast and easy-to-use tool, making it easier to navigate and manage your files and folders. This can be done in this app via four different panels.
The four panels can be arranged in any way you like, and you can also copy, move, and delete files between them. This makes managing files much easier and more efficient than with, for example, Windows Explorer.
Another great feature of Q-Dir is its support for drag-and-drop functionality. You can drag files from one folder to another or drag them into a separate window for further editing. This makes it much easier to quickly move or copy files between folders. It also supports multiple file formats, so you can open and edit different files.
In addition, Q-Dir supports tabbed browsing, so you can open multiple folders in the same window. It also has a preview window that allows you to view the contents of a file without opening it. And it supports virtual folders, which can store frequently used files and folders.
All in all, Q-Dir is a great alternative to Windows Explorer. It's fast, easy to use, and has a number of features that make it much easier to manage and navigate your files and folders. Q-Dir is also available in the Dutch language. If your Windows installation is Dutch, Q-Dir will also be installed in Dutch.
Read more about Q-Dir at:
http://www.q-dir.com/
XYplorer
XYplorer is a file explorer for Windows 11 or 10 that is designed to give you an intuitive and easy-to-use look and feel. It is a file explorer that allows you to access two different folders at once, making navigation and file organization easier.
In addition, XYplorer also offers a large number of features that make it a great alternative to the standard Windows Explorer.
XYplorer has a modern-looking user interface that can be customized to your personal preferences. You can adjust the font size, color scheme and even the layout of the windows. It also has an intuitive search system, which allows you to quickly find specific files or folders. This paid app offers a wide range of tools to help you manage your files more efficiently, such as renaming multiple files at once, file comparison, and folder sync.
In addition to its powerful file management tools, XYplorer also has a host of other features that can make your work with this app more efficient. It has a built-in image preview, text editor, and media player, so you can quickly view and edit files without having to launch another application. XYplorer also supports many popular file formats, such as ZIP, RAR and 7Z, as well as a wide range of other file types.
XYplorer is free to use for 30 days. After this, a license must be purchased. After installation, XYplorer is in English, you can set the Dutch language via the “Help” menu.
In my opinion, these were the best alternatives to Windows Explorer. I have compiled this list of file explorers that are still supported by the developers as of the writing of this article. All these file explorers are suitable for Windows 11 or 10 and are still being developed.
Also read how to use the You can restore old Windows Explorer from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
I hope to have informed you with this. Thank you for reading!